Person Page 69

CORONER'S INQUIRY

At the Grafton Courthouse yesterday afternoon the Deputy-Coroner, Mr. E. Avery, conducted, an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of William James Burrows. Mr. H. Collins (Pollack and Collins) appeared, in the interests of the Clarence River County Council.

Sergeant Alpin Glass McAlpin said that he, in company with the Deputy-Coroner, examined the body of the deceased at Runnymede private hospital. There were no external marks of violence, with the exception of a ''white-brown" mark on the right hand. Witness gave evidence of identification and said that

as a result of certain inquiries he ascertained, that deceased was on a ladder fixing, some current wires that had been disorganised as a result of the storm. He understood that deceased touched one of the live wires and was thrown to the ground. He was rendered unconscious by the fall and never regained consciousness.

Deceased was conveyed to the hospital in the County Council's lorry. Dr. Erie Preston Holland said that, in response to a message received at about 12.25 a.m. on Monday, November 14, he went to a spot near the Royal Hotel, where he saw deceased lying on the ground. He was unconscious and witness

asked what had happened and was told that Burrows was working on top of an electric light pole and that he had apparently come into contact with a live wire which caused him to be thrown to the ground. After a brief examination of the patient a mattress was secured from the Royal Hotel and he was removed to the hospital in a lorry. There was evidence of burns on both wrists and contusion of the head over the left parietal and abrasions of the face. In his opinion death was due to laceration and contusion of the brain. He was satisfied, that death was caused by the fall from the top of the ladder, and not by electrocution.

Dr. Holland explained that the ambulance was away on an urgent call when the accident occurred and that was the reason why the lorry was used. Thomas Reginald Warren, engineer, said that Burrows was engaged in erecting new lines to take the place of the lines destroyed during the storm on the previous day. He was on the ladder close to the top of the pole at the corner of Pound and Duke streets. Burrows, had put into position the new lines, which were attached to shackles, when witness went away for a few minutes. Upon his return he noticed one of the workmen named Giovanelli, standing on the ground

with one of the new lines in his hand, Giovanelli dropped the line, indicating that he had received a shock. Witness asked Burrows, who was still at the top of the pole, where the shock came from and he (Burrows) indicated to him that it came from a live wire at the opposite side of the pole to where he was working. Witness said, "Double it back," and Burrows replied, "It will be all right where I put it." Deceased also added that the new lines were ready whereupon witness said, "Very good, come down." He saw Burrows commence to unfasten his body belt, but did not follow his movements further. About five or six seconds later a workman named Tranter called his attention to the fact that something was wrong. Witness looked up to the top of the pole, where he saw Burrows struggling violently. Both witness and Tranter stepped towards the ladder and the last-mentioned commenced to ascend. Witness shouted to Tranter, asking him to try and pull Burrows away. Tranter had climbed rather more than halfway up the ladder when Burrows released his hold and fell to the ground, striking Tranter on the arm and leg in doing so. Witness went to him and lying on his side, discovered that the man's heart was still beating. The doctor arrived about three minutes after the accident. By Mr. Collins: Witness was engaged in the service of the Clarence River County Council. Burrows was a linesman had had been at Grafton for approximate ly two and a half years. He was an experienced and competent man, having on three occasions been placed in charge of the substation at Ulmarra, while he had also once taken charge a the sub-station at Maclean. Witness had never seen Burrows taking intoxicating liquors since he had known him, neither during working hours, nor at any other time. The ladder in use when the accident, occurred was

the usual County Council ladder and Was a non-conductor. The wires were low tension wires of 240 volts. It was not customary to wear rubber gloves when dealing with such wires.

James Joseph Tranter, who described himself as a district linesman, said that he was assisting in renewing electric light mains that had been destroyed by a storm. Burrows was on the pole at the top of the ladder attaching a new main. The first intimation he had that something was amiss was when he saw Burrows wriggling at the top of the pole. Witness who concluded that he had come in contact with a live wire, climbed up the ladder to assist him if possible. He was a little more than halfway up the ladder when Burrows fell on him and then on to the ground. Witness hurried down the ladder and procured some brandy from the hotel and gave the patient a small quantity. In the meantime an ambulance officer and doctor arrived and Burrows, was removed to the hospital. Burrows fell a distance of about 30 feet. He had known Burrows for about two years and had never known him to take any intoxicating liquor.

By Sergeant McAlpin: After striking him Burrows would fall a distance of between 15 and 20 feet. He fell head foremost at an angle of about 33 degrees. He landed half on the footpath and half on the road, his head striking the footpath. He did not speak after the fall.

Elsie Gertrude Burrows, wife of the deceased, also gave evidence of identification.

The Deputy-Coroner found that death was due to injuries accidentally sustain ed in falling from a ladder on November 14.